Published: Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 2:05 a.m.

With municipal election filing two months away, Wilmington's mayor said he hasn't yet made up his mind about whether he will seek re-election.

Last week, as Saffo recounted the city's accomplishments, it was hard to tell if he was looking back on a legacy or priming for a stump speech. He maintains running is a serious decision and one that he is struggling with.

“It's a hard thing just to be able to walk away when you still see things you want to see accomplished and done,” Saffo said. “You also have to make a living. You're not here on what I consider a significant government salary to be the mayor. You're here because you love being here.” (The mayor's base pay is $14,040, but he earns $19,440 annually including a car allowance and technology stipend.)

If Saffo and Sheridan decline to seek another term, it would spell change for the council's top two posts. Saffo, first elected to the city council in 2003, was appointed mayor in July 2006 after former mayor Spence Broadhurst resigned. Saffo was handily re-elected in 2007, 2009 and 2011. While the mayor pro tem's role is more ceremonial, the mayor serves as a figurehead for the city and routinely serves as a spokesman for the council.

“You just have to do a constant amount of reading and research and talking and meeting,” Saffo said. He estimates he spends 60 hours a week on mayoral duties.

“You're also having to make a living in the private sector as well as serving the public,” Saffo added.

Sheridan, a longtime political science professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, said Saffo's decision could affect whether others run for mayor. It's always easier to run for an open seat, he added.

Sheridan has been on the council about eight years. He said his philosophy is that, if the voters agree, it's good to serve at least two terms.

“Anything over that is gravy, as far as I'm concerned,” Sheridan said.

Rivenbark, who served two terms beginning in the 1990s and won a third term in 2009, said he wants to be a good steward of tax money and increase the city's quality of life.

“I look at an election as a report card,” Rivenbark said.

O'Grady, who is finishing up his first term, said he would be proud to serve again.

“We've got a great city here, but we can do better,” he said.

The council members are not wary when discussing baseball. In November, city voters torpedoed a referendum to fund and build a $37 million minor league baseball stadium.

“I think we did the exact right thing and I'd do it again,” Rivenbark said.

Sheridan doesn't think residents would vote for or against a council candidate based on one issue. “Particularly one that's already been decided,” he said.

Although the referendum was rejected, O'Grady said baseball was a victory for the city because it proved Wilmington can attract first-class sports teams.

“Unfortunately, the voters didn't want to take the chance, but we were successful,” he said. “Unlike the Caterpillar case or Continental Tire, where a deal could not be made, we made the deal. ... I still think some day people are going to be sorry for that.”

The candidate filing period for municipal races in New Hanover County begins July 5 and ends July 19. The election is Nov. 5. The mayor serves two years and council members serve four-year terms.

<p>Could <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic72"><b>Bill Saffo</b></a> have the seven-year itch?</p><p>With municipal election filing two months away, Wilmington's mayor said he hasn't yet made up his mind about whether he will seek re-election.</p><p>Last week, as Saffo recounted the city's accomplishments, it was hard to tell if he was looking back on a legacy or priming for a stump speech. He maintains running is a serious decision and one that he is struggling with. </p><p>“It's a hard thing just to be able to walk away when you still see things you want to see accomplished and done,” Saffo said. “You also have to make a living. You're not here on what I consider a significant government salary to be the mayor. You're here because you love being here.” (The mayor's base pay is $14,040, but he earns $19,440 annually including a car allowance and technology stipend.) </p><p>Meanwhile, Mayor Pro Tem <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic75"><b>Earl Sheridan</b></a> said he is not sure if he will seek a third term. Councilmen <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic74"><b>Charlie Rivenbark</b></a> and <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic77"><b>Kevin O'Grady</b></a>, who are also up for election, both said they plan to run again. </p><p>If Saffo and Sheridan decline to seek another term, it would spell change for the council's top two posts. Saffo, first elected to the city council in 2003, was appointed mayor in July 2006 after former mayor Spence Broadhurst resigned. Saffo was handily re-elected in 2007, 2009 and 2011. While the mayor pro tem's role is more ceremonial, the mayor serves as a figurehead for the city and routinely serves as a spokesman for the council. </p><p>“You just have to do a constant amount of reading and research and talking and meeting,” Saffo said. He estimates he spends 60 hours a week on mayoral duties.</p><p>“You're also having to make a living in the private sector as well as serving the public,” Saffo added. </p><p>Sheridan, a longtime political science professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, said Saffo's decision could affect whether others run for mayor. It's always easier to run for an open seat, he added.</p><p>Sheridan has been on the council about eight years. He said his philosophy is that, if the voters agree, it's good to serve at least two terms.</p><p>“Anything over that is gravy, as far as I'm concerned,” Sheridan said. </p><p>Rivenbark, who served two terms beginning in the 1990s and won a third term in 2009, said he wants to be a good steward of tax money and increase the city's quality of life.</p><p>“I look at an election as a report card,” Rivenbark said.</p><p>O'Grady, who is finishing up his first term, said he would be proud to serve again.</p><p>“We've got a great city here, but we can do better,” he said. </p><p>The council members are not wary when discussing baseball. In November, city voters torpedoed a referendum to fund and build a $37 million minor league baseball stadium. </p><p>“I think we did the exact right thing and I'd do it again,” Rivenbark said. </p><p>Sheridan doesn't think residents would vote for or against a council candidate based on one issue. “Particularly one that's already been decided,” he said.</p><p>Although the referendum was rejected, O'Grady said baseball was a victory for the city because it proved Wilmington can attract first-class sports teams.</p><p>“Unfortunately, the voters didn't want to take the chance, but we were successful,” he said. “Unlike the Caterpillar case or Continental Tire, where a deal could not be made, we made the deal. ... I still think some day people are going to be sorry for that.” </p><p>The candidate filing period for municipal races in New Hanover County begins July 5 and ends July 19. The election is Nov. 5. The mayor serves two years and council members serve four-year terms.</p><p><i></p><p>Julian March: 343-2099</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @julian_march</i></p>